A third of millennials suffer from “Imposter Syndrome” at work, according to a new study, highlighting a severe lack of confidence affecting young people in the UK.

Research commissioned by career development agency Amazing If, found more than four million young people most likely suffer from the persistent fear of “being found out” or of “being exposed as a fraud” in the workplace.

While millennials are often criticised for their supposed self-assurance, researchers argued this is not the case, with twelve million people aged 18-34 suffering from “confidence gremlins”. 

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One example highlighted among those surveyed included “being put on the spot”, with 52 per cent of respondents reporting this fear. 

Two in five millennials suffer from a fear of presenting, while 40 per cent of female participants noted feeling intimidated by senior people, compared with 22 per cent of males questioned.

Just under two thirds (63 per cent) felt their lack of confidence had a negative effect on their career, fuelling concerns over the lack of support available to those embarking on a new career.

Shape Created with Sketch. 8 well paid jobs that don't require a degree

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Shape Created with Sketch. 8 well paid jobs that don't require a degree

1/8 Marketing Assistant

Job Title: Marketing Assistant Starting Salary: £19-22k Entry requirements: Apprentice roles available which require good A-Levels in Business Studies or similar. Some companies will also take on school leavers and train them up as marketing assistants starting at c.15k Career progression: Head of Marketing role commands an average salary of £77,200 in London/£60,869 outside of London (REED Salary Calculator)
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2/8 Recruitment

Job title(s): Resourcer Starting salaries: £20k On Target Earnings (OTE) Entry requirements: Study for a NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration while working in an apprentice role Career progression: Progression in recruitment is really down to the individual’s tenacity and drive to meet targets. Second year OTE can be around £40K, then in following years, uncapped bonuses can mean the best consultants take home six figure salaries.
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3/8 Hospitality

Job title(s): Various roles Starting salaries: £15 -25k Entry requirements: Experience from junior roles Career progression: Front of house/ F&B managers/ Event management can all be learned from junior roles such as catering assistant, waiting staff, events assistant. Often starting as a receptionist will also lead to more senior and varied roles.
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4/8 IT

Job title: IT Support Analyst Starting salary: £17k Entry requirements: GCSE’S/A-Levels/BTEC in IT plus good working knowledge of Microsoft SQL and related software. Career progression: With an MCSA qualification a salary of around £20k can be expected, raising to £25k for an MCSE qualification. Career progression through from 1st - 3rd line support roles, leading to Infrastructure Manager (£35k+)
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5/8 Accounting

Job title: Accounts Trainee/Accounts Payable Assistant/AAT Trainee Starting Salary: c.£15k depending upon location and study support package Entry requirements: Good GCSEs/A-Levels are an advantage, particularly in maths/statistics/business Career progression: You can start as an Accounts Trainee and progress to a QBE Accountant; Qualified by Experience is a phrase used in the accountancy sector for Accountants that have gained their level of expertise on the job, without taking any formal qualifications. It is common place to study AAT exams without having a degree, and by completing 9 papers within a CIMA or ACCA course can result in an uplift in salary to above £30k. Salaries start at £15K for junior Clerks and go up significantly as a QBE or part-qualified Accountant, often above the £30k mark.
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6/8 Customer Service

Job title: Customer Service Advisor Starting salary: From £15k Entry requirements: Apprenticeship roles while studying for an NVQ /Diploma in Customer Service Career progression: Experienced Customer Service Advisors can receive £18 - 20k and Customer Service Managers between £30-35k
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7/8 Motor retail

Job Title: Car dealer Starting Salary: £18 + Company Car Entry requirements: Grade C and above in Maths and English Career progression: Career development courses can be taken on the job, wage can reach into six figures in senior roles Current opportunities: Plentiful. Companies such as Jardine Motors Group are also looking for technicians, sales and customer service advisors
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8/8 Plumbing

Job Title: Heating/plumbing engineer Starting Salary: £18K Entry requirements: ACS qualification (or NVQ equivalent) leading Gas Safe Register membership - various apprenticeship roles available Career progression: Up to £36k as a service engineer with one of the top manufacturers
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Cary Curtis, managing director of graduate recruitment agency Give A Grad A Go, told The Independent: “The anxiety of being ‘exposed as a fraud’ is extremely common amongst graduates and lack of experience could be the main culprit, especially for those who are moving into roles within highly competitive industries.”

A recent report published by the Varkey Foundation suggested young people in the UK have some of the poorest mental wellbeing in the world, with only Japanese millennials falling behind the British in terms of stress and anxiety.

Sarah Ellis, co-founder of Amazing If, added: “Millennials are often portrayed as super confident and self-assured. 

“However, it can be dangerous to make assumptions. Our research aimed to delve more deeply into how millennials really feel about their careers and it is apparent that confidence is a real issue. 

“This isn’t a surprise as everyone has confidence gremlins, even the most senior people. With this generation beginning to make their way into top management positions, it’s really important that they don’t let confidence gremlins hold them back – for their own careers and the overall business landscape.”

Mr Curtis added: “We can prove graduates transform businesses, bringing a whole host of transferable skills with them, along with fresh insight and unwavering eagerness to drive companies forward.”